eGPU or PC build? Looking for recommendations.

[esbowman]

I currently have a MPro (trashcan) and I'm debating whether or not to go the eGPU route or build a PC. I have a project coming up that will require Octane most likely. So, I'm thinking I have a few options here:

1) Make myself an eGPU with an Akitio or Bizon box and nVidia card. I really hate however, that they look so ghetto and are usually open to the elements. I'd rather having something fully enclosed and portable.
2) Buy a Dell or HP workstation with a couple gpus in it.
3) Build a PC and make the switch to Windows (or possibly go the hackintosh route).
3) Build a PC and only use it as a network render slave.

I love the OS X workflow and most of the agencies I work with are on Mac. I'm hesitant to switch to Windows, but at the end of the day if it's easier to go that route I'm not opposed to it. Most of my work is AE and C4D these days, and I'm ready to incorporate Octane asap. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thank you!

[glimpse]

hi, Esbowman,

if You have MP You have mentioned routes. But here are even more options & perspective from someOne who built soem of those solutions:

* akitio (the same enclosure used by bizon) is sort of cheap option, but looks "gheto" (in Your own words). However You could take small case & port what inside of it into separate slightly bigget box, add small PSU & You have a solution that do nto look so messy.

Thing to note, is that these devices are limited to 4 lanes as that's what thunderbolt of those solution gives.

* alternativelly, You can get slightly bigger devices that would cost You ~ 1k$, like NA211A that includes powerfull enough PSU to feed even TitanX. This will would be a bit mroe expensive but still quite a bit mroe compact solution compared to any DIY (unless You're very good with tools & work with metal fabrication).

* render node is not worst solution, but You need extra licence & anyway, at least for now You Mac (master) should have at least one nvidia GPU.

* There are very compact cases - but for small size (read very compact cases & small mITX based motherboard) You will be paying premium. If You choose parts a bit more carefully, technicaly You can also build a hackintosh (or even dual boot solution). There are online comunities dedicated to this (let me know if You need any more information). However this route is nto exactly the easiest one.

* dedicated solution will always give You the best value, especially if You build picking parts Yourself (paying only for what You need). This way You can cherry pick GPUs for You needs, screen card You wish, enough vram, CPU that would fit Your needs perfectly, storage..etc. - You get the point.


There are al ot of information about certain solution (like Mac+ eGPU), so if You wish to find answers pretty fast - check these forums (use search function). however if You have a bit mroe specific question or simply could not manage to find what You looking for - drop a line we'll be glad to help You finding the best solution.

p.s. from what I've read between the lines..- That Netstor solution [NA211A] should fit Your needs perfectly but with powerful card it would end up costing You around 2k$.

[esbowman]

I really appreciate your advice and time for such a detailed post. I've seen a number of posts from you on this forum and you're always so helpful.

As a new user, this post was stuck in moderation for a few days unfortunately. I wish I could have prevented it from being posted because while I was waiting I did some homework and have decided to just build my own rig. Here's what I'm considering:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6850K 3.6GHz 6-Core Processor ($609.98 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($88.33 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X99P-SLI ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($232.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 950 PRO 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($315.62 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($306.07 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB FTW Gaming ACX 3.0 Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($459.44 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB FTW Gaming ACX 3.0 Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($459.44 @ OutletPC)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1300 G2 1300W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($189.99 @ B&H)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit ($109.98 @ My Choice Software)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF120 Quiet Edition (2-Pack) 39.9 CFM 120mm Fans ($25.88 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF120 Quiet Edition (2-Pack) 39.9 CFM 120mm Fans ($25.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $3433.54
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-10-06 17:24 EDT-0400

For the money, I feel I'll be better off just building a PC. I did think about a hackintosh but frankly I don't want the headache. It needs to be ready for production and be as reliable as possible. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks!

[glimpse]

For the money, I feel I'll be better off just building a PC. I did think about a hackintosh but frankly I don't want the headache. It needs to be ready for production and be as reliable as possible. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks!

honestly, proper PC is way better deal, ofering better value compared to any eGPU on the market & hackintosh is a headache =) but as an option those are still available for some. Your list is cool, just make sure You have good ventilated case & reference cooler equiped GPUs (if You plan to fit 4GPUs into Your rig =) don't slip on non reference coolers beong any better - as those dual/tripple fans will not help if You put cards side by side =)

[esbowman]

Ugh. I did exactly what you warned against. I bought the parts and never saw your reply (forum didn't notify me). I ended up buying EVGA 1070 FTWs and they are obviously running hot side by side. The bottom one is good because it has good airflow. The one above it though is hitting 80+ and I'm concerned it's going to be throttling itself soon. Trying to get at least one of them swapped so I can go with hybrids or reference cards. Other option is to go watercooled, but I'm worried about maintenance and leaks. Maybe I'm being paranoid.

Any advice? I'm also wondering what temps I can expect out of 3-4 GTX 1070 reference cards.

[spacemonQuee]

Also, beware of the EVGA GTX 1070 and 1080 FTWs, since they have heavy thermal issues. Tomshardware reported about it in september and they contacted EVGA. EVGA just recently admitted that the cards get way too hot (especially the MOSFETs) and they offer a new BIOS and new Thermal pads for free if you have one of their cards. Heres the link: http://www.evga.com/thermalmod/
And as glimpse already said, if you put the cards side by side with little to no space inbetween, always use the reference cooler cards (Founders Edition in case of Pascal cards) or even better watercooled ones. The Custom cooler cards may have higher stocks and be better for OCing and so on, but you need a decent cooling for them in your system. They need Air to breathe.
Hope this helps,
cheers

[esbowman]

Yeah, I've already applied the thermal mod and updated bios. I'm planning to convert one to hybrid, and use the other on bottom. Then will place two reference cards in between. Should be golden.